Protector for tinning connecting rods and the like



W.v H. BAGLEY Jan. 9, 1934.

PROTECTOR FOR TINNING CONNECTING RODS AND THE LIKE Filed July 20, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY;

PROTECTOR FOR TINNING CONNECTING RODS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed July 20, 1931 May/17453 72;

ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 9, 1934 AT NT OFFICE PROTECTOR FOR TINNING CONNECTING RODS AND THE LIKE William H. Bagley, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Bohn Aluminum & Brass Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application July 20, 1931. Serial No. 551,997 3 Claims. (Cl. 9112 .2)

This invention relates to apparatus for tinning connecting rod bearings and the like and more especially to a protector or shield for use with apparatus of this character.

. 5 V The invention finds particular utility inconnection with the type of apparatus disclosed in application Serial No. 398,092 filed September s, 1929. r V

In tinning connecting rod bearings and the like with the type of'apparatus illustrated in the aforesaid copending application, the two half bearings of a pairof connecting rods or other members to be tinned aresimultaneous'ly tinned by flowing through the opening formed by the two 15 half bearings, a column of molten tin.- In practice it has been-found that this molten tin spills or splashes onto the body of the connecting rod and not only tends to raise the temperature of the body of the rod to the point where the effects 2 of the previous heat treatment is destroyed, but

also this tin which adheres to the body of the connecting rod must subsequently be removed.

It is therefore theobject of this invention to provide a shield or protector which may be quickly brought into position to shield the body of the connecting rod or rods while the bearing portions thereof are being tinned.

The several objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a tinning machine constructed in accordance with this invention showing my improved protector or shield associated therewith;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on a larger scale, of the lower portion of the machine;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view taken substantially on the plane indicated by line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by line 4-4 45 in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of one of the shield members, and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the shield or protector members.

Referring now to the drawings and more especially to Figures 1 and 2 it will be noted that the tinning machine comprises essentially a base 10 in which a pot or container 11 is arranged, this pot containing the tinning metal.

An upright frame member 12 is provided with bearings 13 to support a main shaft 14 upon the end of which is mounted a brush 15. The shaft 14 is rotated to rotate the brush 15 and means is provided, such as a lever 16, to raise and lower the brush. When the brush is rotated it is lowco ered to project the same into the bearing opening so as to brush the surface being tinned during the tinning operation.

The reference character 17 indicates a pump shaft which actuates the propeller blades 18 of a 5 pump arranged in the pot 11. The pump is of the centrifugal type, the blades 18 rotating in a pump chamber 19 which communicates with a substantially tangential passageway 20 which in turn connects with an upwardly extending spout or passageway 21.

By properly regulating the speed of the pump, a column of molten metal can be projected a predetermined distance above the upper end of the spout 21. w

Mounted upon the flange 22 of the spout 21 is a fixture plate 23 for holding the connecting rods to be tinned. This fixture plate is pivotally mounted as at 24 to the flange 22 and is pro vided with a handle 25 by means of which the fixture plate may be swung about its pivot 24. The fixture plate is provided with an enlargement or extension 26 which acts as a cover for the upper end of spout 21 when the fixture plate is moved to the loading position, in which position the connecting rod is fixed thereon. In the other position of the fixture plate an opening 27 formed therein registers with the spout 21, the two half bearing portions of the connecting rods being disposed over this aperture in the fixture plate to thus bring them into registration with the spout.

The fixture plate is usually provided with a circular depression 28 in which the bearing por tions B of the connecting rod C are located. The fixture plate is provided with oppositely extending hook-like clips or abutments 29 so that the double connecting rod may be placed upon the fixtureplate and then rotated about its center to locate the ends of the double connecting rod under these clips. Thus the connecting rod may be readily attached to the fixture plate and may as readily be removed.

The structure thus described constitutes the essentials of a tinning apparatus of the character with which my improved shield or guard may be employed. When the column of tin is projected up through the spout 21, it flows in contact with the bearing surfaces B of the double connecting rod and spills up over the edge 1 thereof and in practice this excess tin flows back down into the pot 11. However, a considerable amount of this tin spills onto the body portions of the connecting rods and it is to eliminate this objection that the present invention was designed.

By reference particularly to Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 it will be noted that my improved shield or guard comprises a pair of sections each designated generally by the reference character each of which comprises a. rearwardly extending lug or ear 31 by means of which theshield section is pivotally mounted to the fixture plate 23 as indicated at 32. Each shield section has a portion 33 adapted to fit over the body of the connecting rod and to thus shield the same from the spilled molten metal. Extending forwardly from each section 33 is an arm 34 which is preferably weighted as at 35. A depending lug ":36 is provided so that the two sections of the complete shield or guard can be united by a rod'orthe like 37 which may be grasped by theoperator' to swing the pair of shield sections upwardly about the pivots 32. The shield sectionsfar'e thus raised when a. double connecting rod is to' be attached to the fixture plate and the'shield sections are then swung down to the position illustrated in Figure 3 to cover the body portions of the connecting rods, the shield being'held in this operative position, against accidental displacement, by the weights 35. It willthus be seen that such molten tin or other metal which spills up over the bearing surfaces B will contact with the shield sections 30 and not with the bodies of the connecting rodsso that the body portions will be keptfree from contact with the tinningmetal. I I Obviousmodifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in this art and to this end reser- 40 a connecting rod or the like for holding the bearing portions of the same in the path of said colvumn, and a protector for the body of the connecting rod comprising a shield member pivotally mounted onsaid support and having a portion substantially enclosing the body of said connecting rod, and means for holding said shield against accidental displacement when in operative position 2. In an apparatus of the class described, means for producing and maintaining a free column'of molten tinning metal, a support for a connecting rod or the like for holding the bearing portions of the same in the path of said column, a pivotally supported shield cooperat-' ing' with said support for substantially enclosing the portion of the connecting rod adjacent the portion being timed, and a weight on'said shield acting to hold tlie'same in operative position.

"3. In an 'apparati1s of the class described,

means for producing and maintaining a'iree column of molten tinningmetal, a support for a connecting rod or the like for holding the bearing portions of the same in the path of said column'," a pair of shield sections cooperating with said support for substantially enclosing the portions of the connecting rod adjacent the portion being tinned, and means connecting said shield sections'so that they may be operated together. I

H WILLIAM H. BAGLEY. 

